In his final letter to Timothy Paul attempts to encourage his "beloved son" by illustrating the triumph of divine grace in his own life. Considering his situation in Rome, he realized that his days were numbered. Only a short time remained. It is thrilling to note his attitude.
    To the saints at Colosse, Paul had expressed his "joy" in being able counted worthy to suffer in their behalf, so as to "fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ" (1:24). Now he reveals a steadfast spirit - saying: "I am now ready to be offered", or, as the Berkeley expresses it, "I am already being poured out as a drink-offering", (comp. Phil. 2:17; 2 Cor. 12:14-15). Then he adds: "and the time of my departure is at hand". That is, the time of his "unmooring" - the release of his spirit to depart, or sail away to Him who gave it, (Phil 1:23; 2 Cor. 5:8; Jn. 12:26; comp. 2 Pet. 1:14; 2 Cor. 5:1).
    Recalling the past, in connection

    The priestly ideal in Israel was very high. As set forth in Malachi 2:

1) His lips were to keep knowledge; it was his responsibility to KNOW the Lord - His word. and His way, (Lev. 10:11).
2) He was to be the MESSENGER of the LORD OF HOSTS - responsible to make God's message known as the people "seek the law at his mouth".
3) His own walk was to be in harmony with those high principles of which he was made the depository.

    It was not enough that he simply tell men what the will of God was. It must be more than THEORY with him; his own life must so illustrate and demonstrate those principles that others might safely follow him, (comp. I Tim. 4:12-16; Tit. 2:7-8; I Pet. 5:3; Phil. 3:17; 2 Thes. 3:7-9; Jn. 13:15).
    Phinehas (to whom God confirmed the COVENANT OF LEVI) set a splendid example, (Mal. 2:5-6). He feared God and stood in awe of His name. The law of truth was in his mouth; no unrighteousness was found in his lips, (Psa. 119:142, 151, 160). He walked with God in peace

and righteousness, (Psa. 37:37). He turned many from iniquity, (Jer. 33:22). So, God's covenant of "life and peace" had been given to him.
    ABIATHAR. "father of excellence" was the son of Ahimelech and, with him, priest of Nob. Ahimelech was the high priest who provided David with shewbread and gave him the sword that, as a lad, he had taken from Goliath, as David once fled from the pursuing Saul, (I Sam. 21:1-10; Mk. 2:25-26). When Saul learned from Doeg, the Edomite, that Ahimelech had given provisions to David, he attempted to wipe out his entire family. But, by the grace of God, Abiathar was enabled to escape Saul's massacre. He went to David, at Keilah, taking with him the sacred "ephod", (I Sam. 22:11-23; 23:6-13).
    Following the death of Saul, and when David was safely enthroned as king, Abiathar helped take the ark of God to Jerusalem. There he served as one of David's trusted

counsellors, (I Chron. 15:1-15; 27:32-34). Later, when it was necessary for David to leave Jerusalem (due to the rebellion of Absalom, his son), Abiathar was sent (along with his son, Jonathan) to look after David's interests in Jerusalem, (2 Sam. 15:30-37; 17:15-27).
    At the close of David's reign (even while the king appeared to be on his deathbed) Abiathar CONSPIRED with others TO MAKE ADONIJAH (the son of David) KING. He had not quite reckoned with Bathsheba, and the prophet, Nathan, who had always been faithful to the king. Nor did he seem to realize that David still had a mind of his own and wielded sufficient authority to carry out his own plans. Thus, Abiathar, and all who were involved in the plot against Solomon, were startled to learn that Solomon had been anointed; proclaimed king; and that he was ALREADY SEATED on the throne of David, his father! (I Kings 1).
    Because of his part in this conspiracy, Solomon expelled Abiathar from his priestly office - sending him back to the fields of Anathoth. This was one of the Levitical cities that was located in Benjamin, (Josh. 21:18; I Kings 2:26-27). Jeremiah, the prophet, was from this city, (Jer. 1:1). His brethren from Anathoth once plotted to kill him because they did not like the things he prophesied, (Jer. 11:21-23).
    In the days of both Nehemiah and Malachi, the priests are said to have been "driven to their fields". It appears that this was a necessity because the people of

the land made no provision for their needs. Nor is this surprising for they had "corrupted the covenant of Levi" and greatly perverted the priesthood.
    There is a sense in which the Lord's church is "a royal priesthood" today. As such we have the responsibility of offering up spiritual sacrifices to God - showing forth the praises of Him Who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. Let us be true to our high calling! E.G.


    "...How many of us are like great overgrown boys, whose education has been neglected, sitting upon the lowest form with their spelling books in their hands when they are men, and having learnt next to nothing, in all the years we have called ourselves Christians? Paul felt it to be a gradual process. Has it been a gradual process with you and me, dear brethren? Is it not true that we are ANGRY rather than THANKFUL when some new thought comes to us out of His word disturbing all the rest - just as when you get a new piece of furniture into your house, you have to arrange and rearrange all the other pieces in order to get it straight?
    How many of us have formularized our imperfect knowledge of Christ into an absolute creed that we brandish in everybody's face, and declare there is nothing beyond but cloudland, and no verities for thought nor maxims for practice that we have not made clear to ourselves already?

    We talk about progressive instruction, going on to the end of our lives. Ninety-nine hundredths of us believe not only (what is true) that we have got all when we have once grasped Christ, but that all which we have got when we have once grasped Him is open to our consciousness in the very beginning of our Christian course. IT IS NOT SO. He puts not bread into our hands, but seed corn; and although we carry away the full sack whenever we go to our Brother and ask Him to feed our hungriness, it is germinal principles that He gives us rather than loaves, and we have got to cultivate them and watch them, and patiently, too, in the belief that He will bless the springing thereof, and after many days we shall find seed for new sowing, as well as bread for the eater!"
--Alexander MacLaren, in "Similies and Figures"

1. FIRST, to Pastor John Coleman and the members of Calvary Cross MBC, of St. Louis, for the wonderful hospitality, good food and excellent time of fellowship on November 22-23. It was a real blessing!
2. THEN to those who have written during the past two or three months to express your appreciation for the CLARION HERALD, and to assist the Landmark MBC, of Rockford, with the financial load. We deeply appreciate your love, your prayers and your faithful liberality in support of this ministry. E.G.

AN HONEST ASSESSMENT...CONTINUED

with the charge received from his risen, glorious, majestic and coming Lord; Paul sets forth three things that prove his faithfulness.

1. "I have fought a good fight", (I Tim. 1:18; 6:12; I Cor. 9:25-27; 2 Tim. 2:5; Phil. 1:29-30; Eph. 6:10-20).
2. "I have finished the course" [or race]. He was no "drop-out"! (I Cor. 9:24; Gal. 2:2; 5:7; Heb. 12:1; Acts 2024-27).
3. "I have kept the faith". Here is the attitude whereby he was enabled to be triumphant. In I John the word "keep", or "kept", is often used in the context of KEEPING GOD'S COMMANDMENTS, (2:3-5; 3:22, 24; 5:2-3, 18). While "the faith" MAY sometimes refer to the concept of CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE, it most assuredly INVOLVES the primary idea of a total loyal and loving TRUST

IN, and COMMITTMENT TO, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus, the Christ". Thus, it is evident that Paul is NOT ASHANED of his ministry! He has been faithful to His faithful Lord. (I Tim. 1:12; 2 Tim. 1:11-12).


    As Paul anticipates the future it is with the utmost confidence; he is "ready to depart and be with Christ" which is far better than anything he has yet known in life. "Henceforth" - beyond this point, finally, or ultimately, "there is [something] laid up [reserved, set aside, or waiting in store] for me", (Col. 1:5; I Pet. 1:4; comp. Heb. 11:16). It is "a crown of righteousness" - "stephanaos", or victor's crown.

In this connection it is interesting to compare:
1) "Crown of Rejoicing", (Thes. 2:19).
2) "Crown of Life", (Jas. 1:12; Rev. 2:10).
3) "Crown of Glory", (I Pet. 5:4; 2 Tim. 2:5; Rev. 3:11).

    It is this "Crown of righteousness" that Paul anticipates. "The Lord, the righteous judge" [Psa. 7:11], shall give it to him "in that day", (2 Tim. 1:12; I Cor. 3:13-15; 1:8; Phil. 2:16). Nor is such a crown for Paul ONLY; it will be given "unto ALL them also that LOVE HIS APPEARING".
    Do YOU "love His appearing"? or do you shudder at the prospect of meeting Him face to face? It says a lot about the life you are living! E.G.